Don't fall for the gym sales pitch. Don't be a number.
The gym sales pitch is something to be aware of. They all work the same way and they sell the gym to you this way because it works. Don't worry if you've fallen for the sales gym pitch before- we all have. That's why there are thousands of people who have a gym membership and then never use it. It may be because they aren't motivated to use it, but it is also likely because the gym doesn't actually meet their needs. Yes, the gym sales pitch for the most part is a big fat lie.
How the gym pitch works:
You've made the commitment to yourself that you're going to get in shape this year. So you walk into your local gym with the intent of checking things out- perhaps even stopping by a couple of gyms to compare their offers.
When you walk in, you're greeted by their cheerful front desk staff who are more than happy to find you their head sales guy who is pleased to show you around the gym. In the meantime, can you just fill out this little amount of paperwork while you're waiting?
The head sales guy (rippling muscles and chiseled good looks) saunters over to you with a smile a mile wide to match the bulging muscles. He immediately sits down with you and gets to know you a bit better. He asks you about your health, your weight goals, where you want to lose it etc. Fortunately for you- your goals are doable if you choose to workout at this gym.
He then takes you for a little tour. He explains to you that they have the best gym equipment there is; he explains that you never have to wait for a piece of equipment ever; he shows you the aerobics room and the spin bike room; he tells you about the huge number of fitness classes they offer throughout the week; you check out the change rooms and he explains how wonderful they are- the sauna, the showers etc.
He then takes you back to his little office and is ready to make you an offer. Oh by the way- this offer is only good today if you sign up right now (heard this before haven't you?). Yes, the best offer he can get you is only for today AND only if you agree to sign up for a two or three year membership. He then throws out costs and has you compare them- sign up for the three year membership and look how much you get. If you only sign up for a one year membership- well, you don't get as much. It's a guilt trip.
Then he takes it a step further. He throws you more bait. If you do sign up today, he'll personally throw in three free training sessions with one of their highly trained personal trainers. Too good to be true! Three free sessions you think....sold.
And before you know it, you have bought yourself a three year membership to the gym. He then hands you your membership ID- no name, just a number on it. That's right. You are just a number to them. But hey- you got three free personal training sessions that will kick start your gym going days right?
Wrong!
What do you really get with these free training sessions? First, they're 30-45 minutes long, hardly worth any effort to the personal trainer. The first session is a "let's get to know you" session. She sits down with you and basically does a repeat of the sales pitch guy but slightly more in-depth. She determines what you've done in the past, what worked for you and what didn't and what you hope to accomplish. No problem she says. She agrees that she has a plan for you and the next session when you meet, she'll take some body measurements.
So the second session you meet and she takes measurements all over. You answer more questions which eats up the whole half hour you have with her. She lets you know that when you meet for the third time, you'll go over your results and she'll show you some exercises that will help meet targets you've set for yourself.
So you meet for the third and final time where you go over your results (yes, you need work and you need her help...)and she maybe shows you a couple of exercises that you can do.
Then comes HER sales pitch. That's right-- another sales pitch that will cost you more money.
You see, to get a personal trainer in the gym costs you additional money. You didn't really think you got a personal trainer for the cost of the gym membership did you? Oh- did sales pitch guy not mention this to you when you signed up for the three year membership?
No, in order for you to access a personal trainer in the gym, you have to pay for it. And it's not cheap. But of course, now that you've had three free training sessions (yup, those are training sessions apparently), would you like to sign up for a six week program? It'll only cost you- oh-$600!!!
Right.
So not only are you paying for a monthly (maybe even bi-weekly) gym membership, you soon realize that the benefits they touted to join the gym are additional costs. Even the fitness classes have an additional cost.
Why join a gym and have to pay in addition to in order to receive the services of a personal trainer?
Don't fall for the gym sales pitch. Don't be a number.
The gym sales pitch is something to be aware of. They all work the same way and they sell the gym to you this way because it works. Don't worry if you've fallen for the sales gym pitch before- we all have. That's why there are thousands of people who have a gym membership and then never use it. It may be because they aren't motivated to use it, but it is also likely because the gym doesn't actually meet their needs. Yes, the gym sales pitch for the most part is a big fat lie.
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